U.S. Provides Humanitarian Assistance for Tigray Region

 The State Department posted on 23 December 2020 a press release titled "The United States' Humanitarian Assistance Response to Conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray Region" by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.  

The U.S. government announced it is providing more than $18 million to respond to growing humanitarian needs caused by conflict in Tigray Region.  Secretary Pompeo also called on the government of Ethiopia to allow "immediate, full, safe, and unhindered access so humanitarian organizations" can deliver assistance to Tigray Region.   

Sudan and Israel Agree to Normalize Ties

 The Washington Post published on 23 October 2020 an article titled "Sudan and Israel Agree to Normalize Ties, the Third Such Accord since August" by Anne Gearan and Steve Hendrix.  

President Trump announced on 23 October 2020 that Sudan and Israel agreed to begin the process of normalizing relations.  This follows agreement by the Trump administration to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism in exchange for depositing $335 million for the victims of attacks during the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole off Aden.

My comment:  There is no link between removal of Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and Sudan's normalization of relations with Israel except that it was a useful ploy by the Trump administration to put pressure on Sudan to achieve a domestic political victory before the November election.  The fact that Sudan is now in the process of normalizing relations with Israel is a realistic and positive move so long as it does not upend the process toward democratic government in Sudan during a politically sensitive period in the country.  

U.S. Africa Policy Needs a Reset

 Foreign Policy published on 12 October 2020 a commentary titled "U.S. Africa Policy Needs a Reset" by John Campbell, Council on Foreign Relations.

The author offers a common sense approach to resetting U.S. policy with Africa irrespective of the winner of the presidential election on 3 November.  

Not the Time to Pressure Sudan on Relations with Israel

 USIP posted on 24 August 2020 a commentary titled "Normalizing Sudan-Israel Relations Now Is a Dangerous Game" by Payton Knopf and Jeffrey Feltman.  

The authors explain that US efforts to push Sudan to recognize Israel in exchange for removing Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which has nothing to do with the recognition of Israel, is a mistake.  Sudan is currently too fragile to play this game. 

The authors are correct.  While Sudan's recognition of Israel would eventually be a positive development, this is nothing more than a ploy by the Trump administration to curry favor with the US electorate before the 3 November election.  

Criticism of Proposed Cut in US Aid to Ethiopia

 Lawrence Freeman posted on his blog on 6 September 2020 a commentary titled "Trump's Aid Cut Harmful to Ethiopia and All of Africa."

The author argues that the "temporary pause" of $100 million in aid to Ethiopia because of its decision to begin filling the reservoir behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile is a Trump administration foreign policy mistake.  

Sudan: Linking Normalization of Relations with Israel to Removal from List of State Sponsors of Terrorism

 The Atlantic Council published on 31 August 2020 an analysis titled "A No Strings Attached Policy toward Sudan" by Cameron Hudson.  

The author reports that a recent visit to Sudan by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo linked removal of Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism to normalization of relations with Israel.  The author notes correctly this risks undermining the delicate political balance that exists in Sudan today.

My comment:  While Sudan's normalization of relations with Israel on Sudan's own schedule would be a realistic and positive development, US pressure using the unrelated removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism is just another ham-handed tactic that will almost certainly fail.  It will be seen for what it is: an attempt to win support in the United States for Trump prior to the November election.  

US Attacks Major Chinese Infrastructure Company Active in Africa

 Global Construction Review published on 28 August 2020 an article titled "Washington Launches Stinging Attack on CCCC - But How Successful Will It Be?" by David Rogers.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo launched a verbal assault on China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and several of its subsidiaries for their work in creating artificial islands in disputed areas of the South China Sea as well as their role in the Belt and Road Initiative.  The United States encouraged countries around the world to reconsider business deals with these "predatory Chinese state-owned enterprises." 

CCCC is the parent organization of many companies that have built numerous infrastructure projects in Africa such as China Harbor  Engineering Co. and China Road and Bridge Corporation. Washington's request is likely to fall on deaf ears in Africa.  

Is Trump Trying to Write Off the Ethiopian-American Vote?

 Foreign Policy published on 27 August 2020 an article titled "U.S. Halts Some Foreign Assistance Funding to Ethiopia Over Dam Dispute with Egypt, Sudan" by Robbie Gramer.

The author reports that the Trump administration is threatening to stop up to $130 million in assistance to Ethiopia because Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has not accepted the U.S. "mediation" proposal for filling the reservoir and releasing water from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).  U.S. programs that are on the chopping block include security assistance, counterterrorism and military education and training, anti-human trafficking programs, and broader development assistance funding.  

The one issue Ethiopians and the Ethiopian diaspora are united on today is completion of the GERD.  Playing political hardball with Ethiopia will not only fail to obtain Washington's desired result but will probably ensure that the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States rallies against Trump.  There are sizeable Ethiopian-American communities in key states such as Georgia, Texas, and Virginia.  

Secretary Pompeo Reinforces Message of Competition with China in Africa

The Diplomat published on 24 February 2020 a commentary titled "Pompeo's Africa Trip Reinforces Message of Competition with China" by Eleanor Albert, PhD candidate at George Washington University.

The author commented that without explicitly naming China, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his recent trip to Africa issued a warning to be wary of Beijing's investments, including the Belt and Road Initiative. She added that Pompeo's remarks frame the U.S. view of China's foreign policy and economic engagement in a competitive lens, one that echoes an adversarial tone that is reminiscent of the Cold War era.

Secretary Pompeo's Trip to Africa

The Center for Strategic and International Studies posted on 24 February 2020 an analysis titled "Secretary Pompeo's 'Do No Harm' Trip to Sub-Saharan Africa" by Judd Devermont.

Pompeo's remarks throughout the trip suggested a nuanced message by the Trump administration concerning the engagement of China in Africa. Instead of overtly criticizing Beijing, Pompeo simply alluded to Chinese practices in Africa that have been the subject of U.S. criticism.

China Is Constant in US Africa Policy

Quartz Africa published on 19 February 2020 an article titled "Amid Mixed Messages and Inconsistency China Is the Only Constant of Trump's US-Africa Policy" by Yomi Kazeem and Yinka Adegoke.

The authors argue that the Trump administration policy towards Africa is inconsistent except for the fact that it is trying to counter the influence of China.

US Secretary of State Trying to Make Up Lost Time in Africa

The New York Times published on 18 February 2020 an article titled "On Tour, Pompeo Courts Africa, to Counter China" by Abdi Latif Dahir.

On his first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo partners with American companies in hopes their investment will counter China's growing presence in Africa. Good luck with that policy.

Trump Administration: Africa, Security, and China

The Hill published on 19 March 2018 an article titled "Trump's Africa Policy Takes Form with Focus on Security (and China)" by Landry Signe, fellow at Brookings Institution, and Nathaniel D.F. Allen, fellow at the US Institute of Peace.

The article concludes that Trump's efforts to refocus US policy in Africa in a direction that is more realpolitik is not a huge departure from previous Republican administrations. Yet by prioritizing security and cutting back on aid and trade, the US may weaken its long-term strategic position in Africa.